Greater Manchester Renew project saves more than 600,000 items from waste

The reuse scheme is marking five years of collecting, repairing and reselling unwanted furniture, electrical items, bicycles and household goods.

Delivered through a partnership between Greater Manchester Combined Authority and SUEZ, Renew sells donated items through three shops and online channels.

The project has expanded to include regular pop-up markets at the Renew Hub in Trafford Park and weekend pop-ups at Cobden Street recycling centre in Salford.

According to the partnership, 605,998 items have been made available to residents at affordable prices, including furniture, homeware, children’s toys, bicycles and electrical goods.

More than £1.3 million has been awarded to 128 projects through the Renew Community Fund. The fund supports organisations helping residents repair, share, borrow and reuse items.

The next recipients are due to be announced shortly.

Renew has also donated £600,000 to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, supporting its work tackling homelessness, including the A Bed Every Night scheme.

Daniel Carolan, Greater Manchester contract director for SUEZ, said:

“Renew is making a real difference to people across Greater Manchester. By giving unwanted items a second life, we're helping residents access affordable goods while also generating funding for community projects and local charities. Thanks to the support of Greater Manchester residents, over 600,000 items have been reused rather than thrown away, creating lasting benefits for communities across the city-region.”

Councillor Tom Ross, GMCA lead for recycling and waste, said:

“The milestone is a testament to the dedicated team of repairers who give unwanted items a new lease of life. Thank you to everyone who has donated or bought an item from Renew, you are helping to support communities across Greater Manchester. The Renew project provide families with access to affordable essentials like homeware, children’s toys and bikes but it also raises vital funds for community projects like repair cafes and school uniform sharing schemes”.

The partnership says Renew is continuing to expand to meet demand for affordable essentials.

Since 2021, the programme has created 20 green jobs and supported the recruitment of three furniture restoration apprentices and one bicycle mechanic apprentice at the Renew Hub.